“Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.”
King James Version (KJV)
2:26 Because, &c. - Thus Solomon shews respect to his sacredfunction. He mixes mercy with justice, and requites Abiathar's formerkindness to David; hereby teaching princes, that they should not writeinjuries in marble, and benefits in sand, as they have been so oftenobserved to do.
2:27 Which he spake - Concerning the translation of the priesthoodfrom the house of Eli, and of Ithamar, to that of Eleazar: whichbeing threatened eighty years ago, is now executed. So divine vengeance,though sometimes it be slow, is always sure.
2:30 He said, Nay, &c. - For he supposed, either, that Solomonwould not defile that place with his blood, but would spare him for hisrespect to it, as he had done Adonijah: or, he had a superstitiousconceit, that his dying there might give his guilty and miserable soulsome advantage.